Patterns and correlates of tobacco use among young adults at college and university

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Abstract

This thesis describes college and university students' smoking behaviours and
examines whether socioenvironmental and personal characteristics experienced during
adolescence are differentially associated with their smoking participation. Results show
more college students than university students currently smoke (37% and 21 %
respectively) and more began smoking prior to post-secondary school (93% and 84%
respectively). Early age of onset of alcohol use increased the odds of current smoking
(main effect model, OR = 8.56 CI = 6.47, 11.33), especially for university students
(interaction effect model, b = 2.35 CI = 7.50, 14.64). Lower levels of high school
connectedness were associated with increased odds of current smoking but for university
students only (interaction effect model, b = -0.15 CI = 0.84, 0.88). While limitations
associated with convenience sampling and low response rate exist, this is the first
Canadian study to examine college and university students separately. I t reveals that
tobacco control programming needs to differ for college and university students, and early
alcohol prevention and school engagement programs for adolescents may influence
tobacco use. Given that both educational pathway and use of tobacco are associated with
SES, future research may consider examining in more detail, SES-related
socioenvironmental variables.